The Best Snacks For Your Next Road Trip Ranked

There are few things more enjoyable than taking a nice long road trip with the people that matter most to you. Though trips with the kids can be filled with arguments, frequent bathroom stops, and tons of trash thrown all over your car, they are guaranteed to produce memorable moments. The only thing better than the distraction-free time you gain on the open road is the super tasty gas station snacks and fast food meals you're sure to inhale.

I've taken dozens of road trips in my day and have curated the definitive list of the best road trip snacks you can legally purchase. Keep in mind, not all of these snacks will be available in your region. I primarily travel through the Southeastern United States, so I'll be basing my recommendations on the fine cuisine found in and around the Sunshine State.

Road Trip Snack Ideas

The key to any great snack that you enjoy on the road is its ability to remain tasty and hold its form for an extended period if needed. Therefore, I present to you the tastiest road trip food ideas—no refrigeration needed.

1. Tuna Meal Kit - A solid choice if you want something a little more filling than chips or candy. It comes with a spoon, crackers, and just enough tuna to hold you over. Pro tip: Don't forget gum or mints unless you want your car to smell like a fish market for the next 300 miles.

2. Beef Jerky - Be careful not to eat too many of these, as they will make you very thirsty, which will, in turn, make you consume a ton of liquid and force you to pull over at shady rest stops. If you're going for jerky, grab a brand that isn’t just salt with a beef aftertaste.

3. Little Caesars Pizza - This pizza is not as greasy as Domino’s but still flavorful and the most affordable large pizza I've ever purchased. At the time of writing, you can grab two large pies for less than $12 USD. Bonus points if you let the pizza sit in the car under the sun to keep it warm longer. Just don’t leave it overnight unless you’re aiming for an extreme food challenge.

4. Muscle Milk Protein Shake - Foods and drinks with large amounts of protein are supposed to keep you fuller longer, according to science. This should result in fewer stops and less heartburn for your road trip crew. Though I have personally never felt full after having a protein shake, so maybe science is lying.

5. Monster Lo-Carb Energy Drink - This tasty, heart-smashing beverage made Fueling Food’s Best Energy Drink list for good reason. It’s super tasty, less than 50 calories, and will help keep you awake while driving.

6. Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt - You can’t go wrong with 12 grams of protein for only 80 calories. This snack is tasty, somewhat filling, and pairs very well with crushed chocolate chips or graham crackers.

7. Wendy’s $5/$6/$7 Biggie Bag - Back in the good ol’ days, this economically tasty combo was only $4. But like all things, the price shot up, yet it's still a comparably affordable meal given all the food you get, along with the sizable drink. Unfortunately, everything in that bag is virtually inedible if it gets too cold, so don’t wait too long to eat—especially the fries.

8. RaceTrac Honey Buns - The Honey Buns at RaceTrac are the best Honey Buns you can buy. If there are no RaceTrac gas stations near you, Entenmann’s makes a great consolation prize. That said, honey buns are only good if they’re soft, so if you get one that feels like a brick, be prepared to work for it.

9. Peanut Butter Crackers - A reliable classic. They don’t melt, they won’t spill, and they somehow manage to taste good at room temperature or even slightly stale. The only downside? You’ll need a drink unless you want your mouth to turn into a peanut butter-filled desert.

10. Trail Mix (But Not the One with Too Many Raisins) - Trail mix is amazing when balanced correctly. A good mix of nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit will keep you fueled for hours. But if the ratio is off—too many raisins, too many peanuts, or worse, off-brand M&Ms— it’s basically edible disappointment in a bag.

11. Hershey's Symphony Bar - This huge delicious candy bar was my mother's favorite. Not only is packed with crunchy almonds, toffee, and rich milk chocolate. Plus, every time I buy one, it brings back wonderful memories of one of the greatest humans to ever exist, my amazing mother.

Keep Your Crew Full with the Best Road Snacks Around

Hitting the open road with your favorite people on the planet is one of my favorite activities of all time. Given the multitude of gas stations, fast food restaurants, and other establishments, it’s super easy to keep the crew fed and hydrated.

However, food choices can make or break a road trip. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with a car full of hyperactive kids hopped up on sugar, a backseat covered in chip crumbs, and an unfortunate case of regret from that gas station sushi you thought was a good idea. Stick to the essentials, choose your snacks wisely, and for the love of all things good, bring napkins.

Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often. I update this and other pages with fresh content as my culinary experiences expand. Road trips may stay the same, but my snack game evolves—so keep up if you want the best travel eats out there.